View source for Ruidoso, New Mexico

{{Short description|City in New Mexico, United States}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2024}}
{{Infobox settlement
|name                     = Ruidoso, New Mexico
|settlement_type          = [[Village]]
|image_skyline            = DowntownRuidosoNM.jpg
|image_caption            = Downtown Ruidoso (2006)
|image_map                = Lincoln_County_New_Mexico_Incorporated_and_Unincorporated_areas_Ruidoso_Highlighted.svg
|map_caption              = Location of Ruidoso, New Mexico
|image_map1               = 
|map_caption1             = 
|coordinates              = {{coord|33|20|37|N|105|39|54|W|region:US-NM_type:city|display=inline,title}}
|subdivision_type         = Country
|subdivision_name         = United States
|subdivision_type1        = [[U.S. state|State]]
|subdivision_type2        = [[List of counties in New Mexico|County]]
|subdivision_name1        = [[New Mexico]]
|subdivision_name2        = [[Lincoln County, New Mexico|Lincoln]]
|established_date         = 
|government_type          = 
|leader_title             = [[Mayor]]
|leader_name              = Lynn Crawford<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.ruidoso-nm.gov/index-village-officials | title=Village Officials }}</ref>
|unit_pref                = Imperial
|area_footnotes           = <ref name="TigerWebMapServer">{{cite web|title=ArcGIS REST Services Directory|url=https://tigerweb.geo.census.gov/arcgis/rest/services/TIGERweb/Places_CouSub_ConCity_SubMCD/MapServer/5/query?where=STATE='35'&outFields=NAME,STATE,PLACE,AREALAND,AREAWATER,LSADC,CENTLAT,CENTLON&orderByFields=PLACE&returnGeometry=false&returnTrueCurves=false&f=json|publisher=United States Census Bureau|accessdate=October 12, 2022}}</ref>
|area_total_km2           = 41.83
|area_total_sq_mi         = 16.15
|area_land_km2            = 41.78
|area_land_sq_mi          = 16.13
|area_water_km2           = 0.05
|area_water_sq_mi         = 0.02
|elevation_footnotes      = <ref name=gnis/>
|elevation_ft             = 6739
|population_total         = 7679
|population_as_of         = [[2020 United States census|2020]]
|population_footnotes     = <ref name="USCensusDecennial2020CenPopScriptOnly"/>
|population_density_km2   = 183.78
|population_density_sq_mi = 476.01
|population_note          = 
|postal_code_type         = [[ZIP code]]s
|postal_code              = 88345, 88355
|area_code                = [[Area code 575|575]]
|website                  = {{URL|ruidoso-nm.gov}}
|footnotes                = 
|timezone                 = [[Mountain Standard Time|Mountain]]
|utc_offset               = &minus;7
|timezone_DST             = [[Mountain Daylight Time|Mountain]]
|utc_offset_DST           = &minus;6  
|blank_name               = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
|blank_info               = 35-65210
|blank1_name              = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] ID
|blank1_info              = 2413585<ref name=gnis>{{GNIS|2413585}}</ref>
}}

'''Ruidoso''' (Spanish for "noisy") is a village in [[Lincoln County, New Mexico|Lincoln County]], [[New Mexico]], United States, adjacent to the [[Lincoln National Forest]]. The population was  7,679 at the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]].<ref name="Census 2010">{{cite web |title=State of New Mexico 2020 Official Census Population |url=https://www.nmlegis.gov/publications/handbook/official_census_population_20.pdf |access-date=June 18, 2024 |website=data.census.gov |publisher=U.S. Census Bureau}}</ref> The city of [[Ruidoso Downs, New Mexico|Ruidoso Downs]] and the unincorporated area of [[Alto, New Mexico|Alto]] are suburbs of Ruidoso, and contribute to the Ruidoso [[Micropolitan Statistical Area]]'s population of 21,223.

A mountain [[resort town]], Ruidoso lies in the [[Sierra Blanca (New Mexico)|Sierra Blanca]] mountain range of south-central New Mexico, where it merges with the [[Sacramento Mountains (New Mexico)|Sacramento Mountains]] to the south. Ruidoso is a resort community close to the slopes of [[Ski Apache]], the [[Mescalero Apache]] Tribe-owned ski resort on Sierra Blanca, an almost {{convert|12000|ft|m|adj=on}} mountain.<ref name="SkiApache">{{cite web|url= http://www.skiapache.com/ |title=Ski Apache Ski Resort|access-date=December 1, 2013}}</ref> The tribe also operates the Inn of the Mountain Gods resort in the area, which includes a [[casino]], [[hotel]], [[Amusement arcade|arcade room]] and [[golf course]].<ref name="InnoftheMountainGods">{{cite web|
url= http://www.innofthemountaingods.com |title=Inn of the Mountain Gods|access-date=December 1, 2013}}</ref> Ruidoso is the largest community in Lincoln County, and serves as the regional economic hub.

In recent years the village is contending with serious questions about the adequacy of the local water supply<ref name="watersupplyissue">{{cite web
 |url=https://waterportal.sandia.gov/upperhondo/upperhondo 
 |title=Upper Hondo Water Availability and Decision Support Model 
 |url-status=dead 
 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100527233902/https://waterportal.sandia.gov/upperhondo/upperhondo/ 
 |archive-date=May 27, 2010 }}</ref> and [[zoning]] enforcement. As in many small communities that have been recently "discovered", there is an ongoing debate about how best to plan for additional growth.

The village received its name from the [[Rio Ruidoso]] ([[Spanish language|Spanish]] for "Noisy River"), a small stream that weaves through the city.

==History==
[[File:New Mexico - Ruidoso - NARA - 68144851 (cropped).jpg|thumb|left|Aerial image of Ruidoso, 1941]]
Along the eastern foothills of White Mountain, retired army Captain Paul Dowlin built Dowlin’s Mill where the Carrizo Creek and Rio Ruidoso merge. He had served at nearby [[Fort Stanton (New Mexico)|Fort Stanton]]. The Mill was also a general store, dance hall, and moonshine supply.{{citation needed|date=August 2023}}

San Patricio, NM (in the Hondo Valley) was originally known as Ruidoso. In 1875, its name was changed in honor of a Catholic priest’s patron saint. Early Hispanos used the term “Ruidoso” to describe a noisy creek. Today’s Ruidoso grew up around Dowlin’s Mill. Will Dowlin survived his brother, after an employee shot Captain Paul dead.{{citation needed|date=August 2023}}

By 1885, with a general store, blacksmith, post office, cabins along the Rio Ruidoso, and proximity to the [[Chisholm Trail]] Ruidoso, NM was born.{{citation needed|date=August 2023}}

The Wingfield family operated a dairy and early post office. By 1914, cabins were being built in Upper Canyon. At Cedar Creek in 1935, a ski area opened on a sloping meadow. {{citation needed|date=August 2023}}

On July 16, 1945, the [[Trinity (test)]] could be felt by local people like an explosion.<ref name="NG">{{Cite news |date=September 21, 2021 |title=U.S. lawmakers move urgently to recognize survivors of the first atomic bomb test |language=en |work=National Geographic |url=https://www.nationalgeographic.com/history/article/lawmakers-move-urgently-to-recognize-survivors-of-the-first-atomic-bomb-test |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210921194054/https://www.nationalgeographic.com/history/article/lawmakers-move-urgently-to-recognize-survivors-of-the-first-atomic-bomb-test |url-status=dead |archive-date=September 21, 2021 |access-date=August 2, 2023}}</ref>

By 1947, a race track was opened at Hollywood Park. Visitors played golf in the Gateway area. Finally, in 1963 the Mescalero Apaches purchased the ski area now known as [[Ski Apache]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Maue |first=Lisa |title=The history of Ski Apache |url=https://www.courier-journal.com/story/sports/2017/01/05/history-ski-apache/96194156/ |access-date=2025-09-07 |website=The Courier-Journal |language=en-US}}</ref>

===21st century===
[[File:Ruidoso New Mexico Village Hall.jpg|thumb|Ruidoso Village Hall]]
In December 2006, seven percent of eligible voters approved a $12.6&nbsp;million bond issue to finance the expansion and modernization of the local wastewater treatment plant which was built in 1982. In 2011, construction was completed on a $36 million wastewater treatment plant. This state-of-the-art facility utilizes membrane technology to achieve discharge standards within regulatory guidelines. The plant was designed to accommodate future growth. The average daily volume is 1.6 million gallons. The plant can currently process up to 2.7 million gallons per day.

Late at night on July 26, 2008, through July 27, 2008, the town and the river were hit by devastating [[flash flood]]ing. The remnant circulation of [[Hurricane Dolly (2008)|Hurricane Dolly]] passed over the area and brought as much as {{convert|9|in|0}} of rainfall. Hundreds of tourists, campers and residents were evacuated<ref name="300 evacuated from flooding in Ruidoso, NM, area">{{cite news|url=http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/news/nation/2008-07-27-2546405833_x.htm|title=300 evacuated from flooding in Ruidoso, NM, area|date=July 27, 2008|publisher=[[Associated Press]]|work=USA Today|access-date=September 23, 2013}}</ref> and the storm caused damage at the [[Ruidoso Downs Race Track]].<ref name="300 evacuated from flooding in Ruidoso, NM, area"/> One person was killed in the flooding,<ref name="Body found in debris from N.M. flash flooding">{{cite news|url=http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/2008/07/28/20080728nm-flooding0728-ON.html|title=Body found in debris from N.M. flash flooding|last=Caldwell|first= Alicia|date=July 28, 2008|publisher=[[Associated Press]]|access-date=September 23, 2013}}</ref> approximately 900 persons required rescue, approximately 500 structures were damaged, and initial damage estimates for Ruidoso were in the range of $15– 20 million.<ref name="Rescue Workers Reach Last Stranded Victims">{{cite news|url=http://www.koat.com/news/17019853/detail.html|title=Rescue Workers Reach Last Stranded Victims|last=Staff Writer|date=July 30, 2008|publisher=[[KOAT-TV]]|access-date=July 30, 2008|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081122124320/http://www.koat.com/news/17019853/detail.html|archive-date=November 22, 2008}}</ref>

In March 2016, the village of Ruidoso entered into a [[Sister City]] relationship with [[Puerto Peñasco]], Sonora, Mexico.

In April 2022, large parts of Ruidoso were threatened by the [[McBride Fire]]; over 200 structures were destroyed and two people were killed by the blaze, fueled by intense dryness and strong winds.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Diaz |first=Johnny |date=April 14, 2022 |title=New Mexico Wildfire Leaves 2 Dead and 200 Structures Damaged |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/04/14/us/new-mexico-wildfire-deaths.html |access-date=April 14, 2022 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref>

''The Christmas Classic'' (2023), with [[Malin Akerman]] and [[Ryan Hansen]], was filmed at ''Ski Apache'', Alto, and Rio Ruidoso.<ref>{{Cite web |date=April 11, 2023 |title="The Christmas Classic" filmed in Ruidoso |url=https://www.krqe.com/entertainment-news/the-christmas-classic-filmed-in-ruidoso/ |access-date=December 20, 2023 |website=KRQE NEWS 13 - Breaking News, Albuquerque News, New Mexico News, Weather, and Videos |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=The Christmas Classic |url=https://nmfilm.com/production/the-christmas-classic |access-date=December 20, 2023 |website=New Mexico Film Office |language=en-US}}</ref>

In June 2024, following the rapid spread of the [[South Fork Fire (New Mexico)|South Fork Fire]] and [[Salt Fire (2024)|Salt Fire]], all 7,000 residents were ordered by officials to evacuate the village. Two people have been confirmed dead.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-06-18 |title=New Mexico village of Ruidoso orders residents to evacuate due to raging wildfire: "GO NOW" - CBS News |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/ruidoso-wildfire-new-mexico-village-mandatory-evacuations/ |access-date=2024-06-19 |website=www.cbsnews.com |language=en-US}}</ref> As of July 3, 2024, the fires are at 87 percent and 84 percent  containment respectively.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-07-03 |title=Daily Update: Wednesday, July 3, 2024 - Crews Continue Community Support Amid Challenging Road Conditions |url=https://www.ruidoso-nm.gov/news-info/cj98b3j9yradkjmelgyd7cz74kwnmm-2eefj |access-date=2024-07-03 |website=Ruidoso-NM.gov {{!}} Municipal Website of the Village of Ruidoso, NM |language=en-US}}</ref> Following the fires, regular [[flood]]s have led to further evacuations, but members of the village have begun to return in order to rebuild the community.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Begay |first=Mesha |date=2024-07-02 |title=Community begins clean up following floods in Ruidoso |url=https://www.kob.com/news/top-news/community-begins-clean-up-following-floods-in-ruidoso/ |access-date=2024-07-03 |website=KOB.com |language=en-US}}</ref>

==Geography==
Ruidoso is in southern Lincoln County, with elevations ranging from {{convert|6400|ft}} at the village's southeast corner in the valley of the [[Rio Ruidoso]] up to over {{convert|7700|ft}} at the village's northern end near [[Alto, New Mexico|Alto]]. Ruidoso's southern border and westernmost border follow the [[Otero County, New Mexico|Otero County]] line. The village is bordered to the east by the city of [[Ruidoso Downs, New Mexico|Ruidoso Downs]]. [[U.S. Route 70]] passes through the southeast part of the village, following the valley of Carrizo Creek upstream from the Rio Ruidoso. The highway leads east down the valley of the Rio Ruidoso and [[Rio Hondo (Southern New Mexico)|Rio Hondo]] {{convert|70|mi}} to [[Roswell, New Mexico|Roswell]] and southwest over Apache Summit {{convert|33|mi}} to [[Tularosa, New Mexico|Tularosa]]. [[New Mexico State Road 48]] passes through the center of Ruidoso on Sudderth Drive, the village's main street, and leads north {{convert|18|mi}} to [[Capitan, New Mexico|Capitan]].

According to the [[U.S. Census Bureau]], the village has a total area of {{convert|41.7|sqkm|order=flip}}, of which {{convert|0.05|sqkm|order=flip|2}}, or 0.12 percent are water.<ref name="Gazetteer 2019">{{cite web| url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2019_Gazetteer/2019_gaz_place_35.txt| title=U.S. Gazetteer Files: 2019: Places: New Mexico| website=U.S. Census Bureau Geography Division| access-date=May 13, 2020}}</ref>

===Climate===
According to the [[Köppen-Geiger climate classification system]], Ruidoso has a [[Subtropical highland climate]] ''(Cwb)'' due to its moderate temperature ranges and precipitation throughout the year. Bi-modal precipitation falls as rain during summer monsoon and as winter snow. Snowfall varies highly by the year.

{{Weather box
|location = RUIDOSO, NM (1991-2020 normals, extremes 1941-)
|single line = Y
|collapsed = Yes
| Jan high F = 48.8
| Feb high F = 51.0
| Mar high F = 57.5
| Apr high F = 64.9
| May high F = 72.8
| Jun high F = 81.6
| Jul high F = 81.2
| Aug high F = 78.5
| Sep high F = 74.8
| Oct high F = 66.7
| Nov high F = 55.7
| Dec high F = 48.4
|year high F = 65.2
| Jan low F = 20.6
| Feb low F = 23.2
| Mar low F = 27.0
| Apr low F = 32.7
| May low F = 40.3
| Jun low F = 47.3
| Jul low F = 51.2
| Aug low F = 50.3
| Sep low F = 44.3
| Oct low F = 35.3
| Nov low F = 26.1
| Dec low F = 21.5
|year low F = 35.0
|Jan record high F = 74
|Feb record high F = 74
|Mar record high F = 78
|Apr record high F = 85
|May record high F = 92
|Jun record high F = 98
|Jul record high F = 95
|Aug record high F = 92
|Sep record high F = 91
|Oct record high F = 84
|Nov record high F = 77
|Dec record high F = 73
|year record high F = 
|Jan record low F = -26
|Feb record low F = -27
|Mar record low F = -8
|Apr record low F = 2
|May record low F = 11
|Jun record low F = 22
|Jul record low F = 31
|Aug record low F = 31
|Sep record low F = 21
|Oct record low F = 5
|Nov record low F = -19
|Dec record low F = -24
|year record low F = 
|precipitation colour = green 
| Jan precipitation inch = 1.11
| Feb precipitation inch = 1.03
| Mar precipitation inch = 0.88
| Apr precipitation inch = 0.67
| May precipitation inch = 1.16
| Jun precipitation inch = 2.05
| Jul precipitation inch = 4.31
| Aug precipitation inch = 4.23
| Sep precipitation inch = 2.49
| Oct precipitation inch = 1.69
| Nov precipitation inch = 0.84
| Dec precipitation inch = 1.54
|year precipitation inch = 22.00
| unit precipitation days = 0.01 in
| Jan precipitation days = 4.8
| Feb precipitation days = 4.5
| Mar precipitation days = 4.5
| Apr precipitation days = 3.8
| May precipitation days = 4.5
| Jun precipitation days = 8.7
| Jul precipitation days = 15.0
| Aug precipitation days = 15.3
| Sep precipitation days = 8.8
| Oct precipitation days = 6.7
| Nov precipitation days = 3.9
| Dec precipitation days = 5.0
| year precipitation days = 85.5
|Jan snow inch = 7.9
|Feb snow inch = 5.5
|Mar snow inch = 2.2
|Apr snow inch = 0.6
|May snow inch = 0.0
|Jun snow inch = 0.0
|Jul snow inch = 0.0
|Aug snow inch = 0.0
|Sep snow inch = 0.0
|Oct snow inch = 1.0
|Nov snow inch = 1.8
|Dec snow inch = 7.2
|year snow inch = 26.2
|unit snow days = 0.1 in
|Jan snow days = 3.2
|Feb snow days = 2.6
|Mar snow days = 1.5
|Apr snow days = 0.3
|May snow days = 0.0
|Jun snow days = 0.0
|Jul snow days = 0.0
|Aug snow days = 0.0
|Sep snow days = 0.0
|Oct snow days = 0.3
|Nov snow days = 0.9
|Dec snow days = 2.7
|year snow days = 11.5
|source 1 = NOAA<ref>{{cite web
| url = https://www.weather.gov/wrh/climate?wfo=abq
| title = NOWData - NOAA Online Weather Data
| publisher = [[National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration]]
| accessdate = March 20, 2022
}}</ref><ref>{{cite web
| url = https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/data/normals-monthly/1991-2020/access/USC00297649.csv
| title = Monthly Normals 1991-2020
| publisher = [[National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration]]
| accessdate = March 20, 2022
}}</ref> }}

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1950= 806
|1960= 1557
|1970= 2216
|1980= 4260
|1990= 4600
|2000= 7698
|2010= 8029
|2020= 7679
|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref name="DecennialCensus">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/prod/www/decennial.html|title=Census of Population and Housing|publisher=Census.gov|access-date=June 4, 2015}}</ref><ref name="USCensusDecennial2020CenPopScriptOnly">{{cite web|url=https://api.census.gov/data/2020/dec/pl?get=P1_001N,NAME&for=place:*&in=state:35&key=5ccd0821c15d9f4520e2dcc0f8d92b2ec9336108|title=Census Population API|publisher=United States Census Bureau|accessdate=October 12, 2022}}</ref>
}}
[[File:Racing at Ruidoso Downs.jpg|thumb|Horse racing at Ruidoso Downs]]
As of the [[census]]<ref name="GR2">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/ruidosovillagenewmexico|title=QuickFacts|work=US Census}}</ref> of 2010, there were 7,868 people, 3,434 households, and 2,232 families residing in the village. The population density was {{convert|538.7|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 7,584 housing units at an average density of {{convert|530.8|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The racial makeup of the village was 80.57 percent [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 0.29 percent [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 2.38 percent [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 0.31 percent [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.03 percent [[Pacific Islander (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]], 7.44 percent from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 2.05 percent from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 18.21 percent of the population.

There were 3,434 households, out of which 23.6 percent had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.2 percent were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 8.8 percent had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.0 percent were non-families. 29.8 percent of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.3 percent had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.22 and the average family size was 2.72.

In the village, the population was spread out, with 20.5 percent under the age of 18, 5.8 percent from 18 to 24, 21.9 percent from 25 to 44, 30.1 percent from 45 to 64, and 21.6 percent who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 46 years. For every 100 females, there were 90.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.1 males.

The median income for a household in the village was $37,107, and the median income for a family was $44,846. Males had a median income of $30,452 versus $21,974 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the village was $22,721. About 2.5 percent of families and 4.9 percent of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 24.5 percent of those under age 18 and 5.8 percent of those age 65 or over.

==Education==
===K-12 education===
Ruidoso Municipal School District covers the majority of the municipality. Small pieces extend into Capitan Municipal Schools<!--UNI 00270-->.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st35_nm/schooldistrict_maps/c35027_lincoln/DC20SD_C35027.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220905154520/https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st35_nm/schooldistrict_maps/c35027_lincoln/DC20SD_C35027.pdf |archive-date=September 5, 2022 |url-status=live|title=2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Lincoln County, NM|publisher=[[U.S. Census Bureau]]|accessdate=2024-12-28}} - [https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st35_nm/schooldistrict_maps/c35027_lincoln/DC20SD_C35027_SD2MS.txt Text list]</ref>

Public schools of the Ruidoso school district:<ref name="RuidosoSchools">{{cite web|
url= http://www.ruidoso.k12.nm.us/schools.asp |title=Ruidoso Municipal Schools}}</ref>
* Sierra Vista Primary School: Pre K, Kindergarten, 1st and 2nd Grade
* White Mountain Elementary School: 3rd-5th Grade
* Ruidoso Middle School: 6th-8th Grade
* Ruidoso High School: 9th-12th Grade

===Colleges===
* [[ENMU]]-Ruidoso Branch Community College. The ENMU Ruidoso Campus is a two-year college, or community college, (one of 18 New Mexico branches) and an official Branch of ENMU (this status was granted in July 2005).<ref name="ENMURuidoso">{{cite web|
url= http://www.ruidoso.enmu.edu/ |title=ENMU Ruidoso Branch Community College}}</ref>

===Public library===
{{ infobox library
| library_name       =Ruidoso Public Library 
| name_en            = 
| library_logo       = 
| image              = Ruidoso Public Library front.gif
| caption            =
| country            = United States
| type               = 
| scope              = 
| established        = 
| ref_legal_mandate  = 
| location           = 107 Kansas City Road, Ruidoso, NM 88345-6922
| coordinates        = {{Coord|33.350224|-105.661197|scale:10000_type:landmark_region:US}}
| branch_of          = 
| num_branches       = 
| items_collected    = 
| collection_size    = 
| criteria           = 
| legal_deposit      = 
| req_to_access      = 
| annual_circulation = 
| pop_served         = 
| members            = 
| budget             = 
| director           = 
| num_employees      = 6
| website            = {{URL|https://ruidosolibrary.org/}}
| references         = 
}}
Ruidoso Public Library is the library serving Ruidoso, [[Ruidoso Downs, New Mexico|Ruidoso Downs]], [[Alto, New Mexico|Alto]], and greater [[Lincoln County, New Mexico|Lincoln County]].

Starting in 1954, the library developed from the [[Women's club|Woman's Club]], Beta Sigma Phi with only a small collection of books. In 1960 the Library Advisory Board was created, and Jane Parks served as the first President of the Advisory Board. Shortly after, the library was moved into a building that was once a school and Old City Hall. The library was only two rooms which the librarian Pat Ward oversaw its maintenance. In 1966, under the director Ruth McGuire Spiegel the library was moved to an old airport terminal and now had the bonus of local and state funding. The first library building was built in 1975 at 501 Sudderth Dr. and the library remained in this location for around twenty years.

In 1997 the current library was designed and built by ASA Architectures, the two-story building with vaulted windows is 14,600 square feet. The library has a garden, the Friends’ Book Shoppe, an outdoor reading patio and available window seats. In addition, the library also includes an archive room, conference room, children’s, and teen's library, two self-checkout machines and twenty-nine computers for public use. The collection consists of books, CDs, DVDs, and an e-branch with access to e-books, audio books and magazines.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://ruidosolibrary.org/about-1|title = About the Library — Ruidoso Public Library &#124; Ruidoso, NM}}</ref> Some of the programs offered at the Ruidoso Public Library are children’s section, adult game night, teen scene, Ruidoso writers publishing group and a bereavement support group. Also, the library offers the New Mexico FamilyPass which provides free admission to fifteen museums and historical sites across the state.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://ruidosolibrary.org/programs-services|title = Services — Ruidoso Public Library &#124; Ruidoso, NM| date=September 7, 2023 }}</ref> The library is open Monday-Saturday.<ref>[http://www.youseemore.com/ruidosopl/about_legacy.asp Ruidoso Public Library], About Us</ref>

==Newspapers==
''Ruidoso Free Press'' is a Lincoln County newspaper, delivered by direct mail to 7100 addresses.<ref>{{Cite web |title=RUIDOSO FREE PRESS |url=https://business.ruidosonow.com/list/member/ruidoso-free-press-ruidoso-424 |access-date=December 20, 2023 |website=business.ruidosonow.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Newspaper Archives |url=https://archives.lincolncountynm.gov/archives/ |access-date=December 20, 2023 |website=archives.lincolncountynm.gov}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.ruidoso-nm.gov/news-info | title=News & Information | date=February 14, 2024 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://nmarchives.unm.edu/subjects/11037 | title=Lincoln County news &#124; New Mexico Archives Online }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://ldsgenealogy.com/NM/Lincoln-County-Newspapers-and-Obituaries.htm | title=Lincoln County NM Newspapers and Obituaries }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/local/new-mexico/lincoln-county | title=Local Lincoln County, New Mexico Obituaries | website=[[Legacy.com]] }}</ref>

''[[Ruidoso News]]'' is in the ''[[USA TODAY]]'' network.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://cm.ruidosonews.com/about-your-subscription/ | title=Ruidoso News }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.loc.gov/item/sn83002032/ | title=Ruidoso News (Ruidoso, N.M.) 1946-Current | website=[[Library of Congress]] }}</ref>

In Oct  2021, ''Lincoln County News'' shut, with the death of publisher Jose Peter Aguilar, closing the weekly newspaper.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.abqjournal.com/2438420/lincoln-county-news-shuts-with-death-of-publisher.html | title=Lincoln County News shuts with death of publisher | date=October 16, 2021 }}</ref>

==Sports==
The Ruidoso Osos were an independent professional baseball team in the Pecos League during the 2011 season. The team was on hiatus for the 2012 season because of low attendance. There were no lights on the team's home field, meaning games were played at 4:30&nbsp;p.m. Additionally, alcohol could not be sold at White Mountain Park because it was owned by Ruidoso Municipal Schools.<ref>{{cite web|title=Ruidoso Osos placed on the inactive List |url=http://www.pecosleague.com/pecosleague.asp?page=28&article_id=126 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120602124843/http://www.pecosleague.com/pecosleague.asp?page=28&article_id=126 |archive-date=June 2, 2012 }}</ref> In the 2013 season, the team moved to [[Raton, New Mexico|Raton]] and were renamed the [[Raton Osos]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pecosleague.com/pecosleague.asp?page=28&article_id=407|title=The Osos are moving North|publisher=Pecos League|date=November 15, 2012|access-date=June 25, 2014}}</ref>

==Transportation==

===Airports===
* [[Sierra Blanca Regional Airport]], located approximately {{convert|15|mi|km}} northeast of Ruidoso.

===Major highways===
* [[U.S. Route 70 in New Mexico|U.S. Route 70]]
* [[New Mexico State Road 48|NM 48]]

==Notable people==
[[File:Jogging 07-03-2008 11;07;19PM.JPG|right|thumb|Jogging trail in a municipal park in Ruidoso just after sunrise, July 2008]]
* [[Mary Ann Almager]], world champion boxer<ref>{{cite web |url=http://boxrec.com/list_bouts.php?human_id=18465&cat=boxer |title=Ira Martin - Boxer |website=boxrec.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140106210203/http://boxrec.com/list_bouts.php?human_id=18465&cat=boxer |archive-date=January 6, 2014}}</ref> 
* [[Neil Patrick Harris]], actor; grew up in Ruidoso<ref name="NeilPatrickHarris">{{cite web
 |url   = http://www.biography.com/search/article.do?id=224896
 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070930014959/http://www.biography.com/search/article.do?id=224896
 |url-status = dead
 |archive-date = September 30, 2007
 |title = Neil Patrick Harris Biography
}}</ref>
* [[Yvette Herrell]], congresswoman and former member of the [[New Mexico House of Representatives]]
* [[Mike Runnels]], lieutenant governor of New Mexico from 1983 to 1987; lived in Ruidoso
* [[Bram van der Stok]], aka Dr. Bram "Bob" Vanderstok, WWII flying ace and hero of "The Great Escape" from [[Stalag Luft III]]

==See also==
*[[Noisy Water Winery]]
*[[Ruidoso River Museum]]
*[[Carrizozo]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{sister project links|auto=1|d=Q2380585}}
* {{Official website|www.ruidoso-nm.gov}}
* [http://www.ruidosonow.com/ Ruidoso Valley Chamber of Commerce]
* [http://www.discoverruidoso.com/ Ruidoso Tourism Office]
* [https://travel-coolers.com/things-to-do-in-ruidoso-nm-2024/ Things to do in Ruidoso]

{{Lincoln County, New Mexico}}
{{New Mexico}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Villages in Lincoln County, New Mexico]]
[[Category:Villages in New Mexico]]
[[Category:Micropolitan areas of New Mexico]]
[[Category:Year of establishment missing]]
[[Category:Public libraries in New Mexico]]
[[Category:Library buildings completed in 1974]]
[[Category:Library buildings completed in 1998]]